Abandonment of a child in ga. gov , or call the 24/7 reporting hotline 1-855-GACHILD ( 1-855-422-4453 ). G. 855. The resources that Prevent Child Abuse Georgia can assist citizens with include but are not limited to: Referrals to parenting classes and programs. 590). In 2022, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Georgia’s Office of the Child Advocate (“OCA”), which oversees DFCS, found 15 “systemic” breakdowns within DFCS contributing to failures to keep children safe from physical and sexual abuse. The abandonment of a child by their parent, guardian, or legal custodian; Sexual Abuse/Exploitation. Schedule a consultation by calling at 404-600-1403. Oct 15, 2022 · 19-10-1, Child abandonment in the state of Georgia is classified as a misdemeanor offense that results in a $1,000 fine and a maximum of 12 months in prison. The party with legal custody can make major decisions for the child. State of Georgia: The State of Georgia Mandated Reporter Law (O. The failure to provide a child with adequate supervision necessary for such well- being by a parent, guardian, legal child's custodian , or other person responsible for the care of a child ; or 3. File a petition with the higher court. These consequences can have long-lasting effects on their lives and development. One who abandons a child is also at risk of losing parental or visitation rights in most states. According to Section 1111 (4), if your child’s other parent leaves after you have a custody order in effect, and if that Mar 28, 2024 · Crimes and Offenses § 16-5-70. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Community Based Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CFDA 93. When legal or physical custody is shared, one parent or guardian is designated as the primary custodial parent and has final say in parenting decisions. A. Physical Abuse: injury or death inflicted upon a child by a parent or caretaker other than by accidental means ARS 8-531 Definitions: Termination of Parent-Child Relationship. If the child lives in Fulton County, you would go to the Warrant Division of Fulton Magistrate Court. Oct 14, 2016 · (j)(1) In a prosecution for and conviction of the offense of abandonment, the trial court may suspend the service of the sentence imposed in the case, upon such terms and conditions as it may prescribe for the support, by the defendant, of the child or children abandoned during the minority of the child or children. The failure to provide a child with adequate supervision necessary for such child's well-being; or ; The abandonment of a child by his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian. Caldwell v. 1-800-CHILDREN ( +1 800-244-5373 ) Prevent Child Abuse Georgia is able to assist citizens with acquiring child related resources. The proper venue for prosecution of the offense of abandonment of a child is the county where the child resides at the time of the issuance of the warrant. 2. Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court. Child Abuse and Child Neglect A minor child is considered abandoned when the mother or father does not provide sufficient food, clothing or shelter for the needs of the child within a 30-day period. 2d 614 (1960). § 16-5-72. East Point, GA 30344. •••. (877) 423-4746 (Virtual Call Center) Child Abandonment. “Abandonment” or “abandoned” means any conduct on the part of a parent, guardian, or legal custodian showing an intent to forgo parental duties or relinquish parental claims. 19-10-1). The abandonment of a child by his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian. When the recognized parents of the child marry after the birth of the child; or 2. This means leaving the child without sufficient nourishment, shelter or clothing. If you have an emergency, please call 911 or your local department. . Child Abandonment Warrant Applications. In that case, the parties had a short relationship Dec 13, 2019 · According to Georgia Child Protective Services, child abuse or neglect can occur in the following ways: Injury to a child (under 18) by a parent/guardian/caretaker that results in internal injuries, bruises, fractures, or scarring is considered physical abuse. Criminal child abandonment typically requires physical abandonment. You must explain the reasons for the name change in this petition. (a) A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of or having immediate charge or custody of a child under the age of 18 commits the offense of cruelty to children in the first degree when such person willfully deprives the child of necessary sustenance to the extent that the child's health or well Sep 8, 2023 · Abandoning a child under one year of age is usually a felony. Child abandonment is the practice of relinquishing interests and claims over one's offspring in an illegal way, with the intent of never resuming or reasserting guardianship. Stat. The total direct costs of childhood maltreatment in a victim’s lifetime is estimated to be over $226,000. For example, Georgia will issue an abandonment warrant for his arrest if you ask for such relief after he has not financially provided for his child for a period of at least a month. Child in Ga. Typically, demonstrating your spouse’s intent will boil down to showing correspondence In Georgia law, it designates certain professionals as mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect [OCGA 19-7-5 (c) (1)]. 8-531. It is intended that mandatory reporting will cause the protective services of the state to be brought to bear on the situation in an effort to prevent This Handbook provides an overview and answers common questions about Georgia residential landlord-tenant law. Ga. Reports are taken 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. § 19-6-28. This can include intentionally leaving a child alone, failing to provide essential medical care, or failing to provide basic necessities such as food, shelter, or clothing. When this does not happen, the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), in partnership with the police Department of Human Services 2910 Miller Road, Suite 100 Decatur, GA 30035-4037 Phone: 1-877-423-4746 Fax: 770-593-6985 If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) encourages you to make a report to the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). One way is through abuse and neglect proceedings. Section 1111 of Chapter 7B of the North Carolina General Statutes lists 10 factors that allow a judge to legally terminate a parent’s rights. §19-7-5 (2016) (a) The purpose of this Code section is to provide for the protection of children. There are many reasons why a father would lose his parental rights, including the failure to pay child support or any misconduct or abuse. Jan 25, 2022 · Georgia lawmakers approved $6. This includes raising awareness and providing leadership for the prevention of the most secretive type Under Georgia law (Section 15-11-94), a judge can terminate a parent’s rights for any of the following reasons: written consent to relinquish their parental rights. The process begins by filing a Petition for Dissolution. I never legitimated my son. Code § 16-5-72. P. Fax: 770-830-5851. Child Support: Monthly payments made by the non-custodial parent to help the custodial parent cover the expenses of the child Child abuse and/or neglect reports are taken 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ) In Oklahoma, someone convicted of desertion of a child under the age of 10 faces no less than one year and no more than 10 years in prison. C. the parent abandoned the child. Still, it can also include severe cases of neglect and emotional abandonment, such as Filing for Divorce. There is already a CS case open, and for 5yrs now CSE has allowed her to pay at her leisure. Dec 15, 2018 · Georgia defines child abandonment as neglecting a child’s basic needs for a period of 30 days or longer. Abandonment of Dependent Child; Criminal Jan 25, 2022 · Tom Rawlings, the director of Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), said when it comes to abandonment, there are really two groups. The best solution for each case depends on the facts. To protect the children of the State of Georgia and to assist and restore the security of children whose well-being is threatened by providing independent oversight of persons, organizations, and agencies responsible for providing services to or caring for children who are victims of child abuse and neglect or whose domestic situation requires Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia is an independent, statewide, non-profit organization. In order to get these protections, the mother must leave the child in the physical custody of any employee, volunteer, or The child lives with the party with physical custody. Criminal Division. org. Custody orders stay in place until the child turns 18. Code § 19-10-1, see flags on bad law, and search Casetext’s comprehensive legal database Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect. A move related to a job relocation, a military deployment, or another kind of marital obligation will not qualify (without the intention of abandonment). Children get injured all the Our Raleigh attorneys have drafted many various agreements such as these, and are ready to answer any questions you may have about abandonment and how it may impact your family. Also, you should know that if a custody order was issued in a different jurisdiction, such as another state, a Georgia court can still issue an emergency custody order if the child is in Georgia and has been abandoned or needs immediate protection because of actual or threatened mistreatment or abuse. children from abuse and neglect. "Nonsecure residential facility" means community residential facilities that provide 24 hour care in a residential setting that are not hardware secured. Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. Marital abandonment, also called desertion, is a legal ground for divorce in Georgia. Report by phone. The State of Georgia employs a two-pronged approach to evaluating the termination of an individual’s parental rights. , 228 Ga. When the father petitions the superior court of the mother’s residence to legitimate the child. The petition should state the grounds for the divorce. Lee, 215 Ga. GACHILD ( +1 855-422-4453 ) Every child should be treasured, protected, and nurtured. § 50-13-7(d) contact the State of Georgia's Administrative Procedures Division at 678-364-3785 to enable these features for your location. The willful and continued desertion by either spouse for Between l980 and l991 alone, reports of child abuse and neglect tripled. § Section 49-5-41, which requires DFCS to share information with local, state, or federal government entities that are performing their Primary. 1. (Ga. Citation: Ann. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: “Abandonment” means the failure of a parent to provide reasonable support and to maintain regular contact with the child, including providing normal supervision. SW Suite C103. The Warrant Division is located at 160 Pryor Street, Room JG100, Atlanta, GA 30303. mygcal. If you have an emergency, please call 911 or your local Mar 20, 1998 · • GEORGIA – Definition of “child abuse” for inclusion of the CAR is defined under the mandatory reporter statute (Ga. , § 19-7-5(b)(4)), not the juvenile code: – “Child abuse” means: Physical injury or death inflicted upon a child by a parent or caretaker thereof by other than accidental means; provided, however, that Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225 (24/7 mental health, substance abuse & emergency services). Jun 8, 2020 · The Atlanta child custody lawyers at Buckhead Family Law are here to assist you with your case and help this be a positive turning point for your family – not an end. Code Ann. The information in this Handbook does not apply to commercial or business leases. Mandated Reporter Law - O. If you are an entitled government entity pursuant the Georgia Administrative Procedures Act, O. Dec 21, 2023 · Physical and Emotional Child Abandonment. If you are one of the following people and have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused, you must make a report, immediately but no later than 24 hours, to your local DFCS office or law enforcement and are 2. 3. Georgia's laws regarding absent parents cover child support and parental rights. dhs. § 19-10-1 - Abandonment of dependent child; criminal penalties; continuing offense; venue; blood tests or other comparisons as evidence; payment of expenses of birth of child born out of wedlock; agreement for support of child born out of wedlock. In New York, it involves a parent physically leaving a child alone without the intent to return. Penalty for a Reckless Abandonment Conviction in Georgia. 136 Pryor St. (229) 317-9663. Code § 19-7-4. If the parent leave the state, the parent can end up facing a felony charge that has the potential to result in up to three years in prison. App. w/ my mom (last 5+ years), biomom lives in NC & has last 6+ years. Because facts in each case are different, this Handbook covers general terms and answers, and those Oct 4, 2022 · To file an abandonment warrant against a person, the caretaker or custodial parent of the minor child must apply for the warrant in the county warrant office where he or she lives. ” In other words, spousal abandonment requires the spouse who leaves to intend to abandon the marriage. To prevent the abuse and neglect of Georgia’s children through education, advocacy and the promotion of evidence-based prevention strategies. The Georgia Court of Appeals has found an abandonment of opportunity interest and denied a petition for legitimation when a biological father failed to provide significant emotional and financial support to the child, failed to pay child support for over two (2) years and father’s last visit with the child was over two (2) years prior to the Child Protective Services (CPS) historical information remains in the Georgia SHINES Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System. Emotional abandonment, however, is also illegal in some states. 1-855-CHILD ( +1 855-422-4453 ) Fax. 287 Ga. §19-7-5) of 2016 defines child abuse as: Sexual exploitation of a child. By Anna Assad. The Prevention and Community Support Section of the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services and Prevent Child Abuse Georgia has taken action to develop a statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan. Primary. Section 16-5-72 - Reckless abandonment. OCA described the situation as an “ongoing threat Aug 9, 2019 · Call 770-679-2617 to discuss your family law case with an attorney who has the experience and knowledge to truly advocate for you and your family. Universal Citation: GA Code § 15-11-2 (2014) As used in this chapter, the term: (1) "Abandonment" or "abandoned" means any conduct on the part of a parent, guardian, or legal custodian showing an intent to forgo parental duties or relinquish parental claims. I am wondering if a judge would see it as a waste of tax payers dollars for DH to file the app for child abandonment to try to get BM to pay as ordered. It doesn’t necessarily mean that a parent or guardian left the child naked and hungry on a street corner. Division of Child Support Services. ) To access this website, you must agree to the following: The Statewide Child Protective Services Intake Communications Center (CICC) is responsible for receiving reports of abuse for children residing in Georgia. TITLE 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS. I live in Fl. Georgia law requires each county to have a Protocol to be used in investigating and prosecuting cases arising from alleged child abuse and sexual exploitation. §§ 97-5-1, 97-5-3 (2023). In 2020, 62,675 maltreatment reports were received by A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of or having immediate charge or custody of a child under the age of one year commits the offense of reckless abandonment of a child when the person willfully and voluntarily physically abandons such child with the intention of severing all parental or custodial duties and responsibilities to such child and leaving such child in a A "child" under this definition generally means a person who is younger than age 18 or who is not an emancipated minor. When it comes to fathers and paternal rights, court judges terminate their rights when it’s in the best interests of the child. If you believe the non-custodial parent has abandoned your child, you may apply for a warrant to hold that parent accountable. Criminal Non-Support (Abandonment Warra nt) Child abandonment is a misdemeanor offense in Georgia with a penalty of a $1,000 fine or up to 12 months in prison, when a parent has failed to provide sufficient food clothing, or shelter for the needs of the child for 30 days. CHAPTER 10 - ABANDONMENT OF SPOUSE OR CHILD. Atlanta, Georgia 30303. 16-5-70 (2010) 16-5-70. The Georgia Court of Appeals recently heard an appeal of the grant of a legitimation petition, where the father was absent during the majority of the pregnancy, but in the child’s life from the moment he was born. Abandonment Statutes. 2010 Georgia Code TITLE 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS CHAPTER 10 - ABANDONMENT OF SPOUSE OR CHILD § 19-10-1 - Abandonment of dependent child; criminal penalties; continuing offense; venue; blood tests or other comparisons as evidence; payment of expenses of birth of child born out of wedlock; agreement for support of child born out of wedlock Jun 8, 2014 · In Georgia, the law provides for abandonment statutes that simply state that if you willfully or voluntarily abandon your child without providing for sufficient food, clothing, or shelter for the needs of the child you are potentially guilty of a misdemeanor if you leave the state this could constitute a felony. Meadows, A11A1031 (2011). My mother (in Ga) decided to sue me & biomom for child support in 10/18. L. However, there are certain circumstances in which parental rights can be taken away. gov. An individual must be a permanent resident of the state for six consecutive months before filing for divorce in a Georgia state court. Further, an unmarried father may register with the state to A State Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America “This project was supported in part by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services through the U. An estimated 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday [i] . In the United States, Georgia ranks 38th for child wellbeing [i] . Or visit www. The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) shall receive reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week, of known or suspected instances of child abuse and neglect, including reports of Child abandonment in Georgia is defined as the act of willfully leaving a child without adequate supervision or support, resulting in physical or emotional harm. Defenses to Reckless Abandonment. Prevent Child Abuse Georgia is not a child abuse and neglect reporting agency. pcageorgia. A § 19-10-01 et seq. the parent willfully failed to comply with a child support order for 12 months or longer. In order to make a report to DFCS, you may: Report Child Abuse or Neglect. ”. Fault grounds should be accompanied by a description of all negative effects The Child Abandonment Warrant is a probable cause warrant to determine if the child has been abandoned. Suspected child abuse or neglect should be reported to the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1-855-GACHILD ( 1-855-422-4453) or going online to complete a mandated reporter form at cps. 7 million in funding this year to expand TFC. A sec. Types of Abuse. Failure of the parent/guardian/caretaker to make sure child (under 18) is properly Oct 18, 2023 · When you have a child, you can establish parentage on the basis of a legal presumption, an acknowledgment of parentage, or by giving birth. E. In correlation with Georgia law found at O. 629, 112 S. ) ICWA notification requirements when the child is an Indian child as defined in ICWA. In re B. 2d 700 (1997). Another way that parental rights can be terminated is through abandonment. 19-10-1, Child abandonment in the state of Georgia remains classified as a misdemeanor offense that results in a $1,000 fine the a maximum of 12 months in prison Georgia law also recognizes constructive desertion as a form of abandonment. Since its last version 20 years ago, state agencies and organizations and various stakeholders, including state and local government leaders, community-based and human services The Magistrate Court handles warrant applications for the offense of abandonment of a child. This law defines the legal criteria for the loss of parental rights. The fourth, fifth and seventh all refer to abandonment. Our office provides training and assistance in developing those protocols. In Georgia law, it designates certain professionals as mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect [OCGA 19-7-5 (c) (1)]. For non-emergency mental health, developmental disabilities and addictive disease services, call 1-888-785-6954. May 12, 2023 · Deserting or failing to support a child younger than 18 is also a felony and carries up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. It is critical that all parents in Georgia understand how of state treats cases in abandon. the parent has been convicted the murder of the child’s Mar 8, 2020 · Under current Georgia Law, there are two ways to legitimate a child born out of wedlock: 1. 1 (b), the licensing agencies in Georgia can revoke or suspend someone’s license if he or she is in arrears behind in paying child support for a period of more than sixty days. Jul 24, 2023 · In certain situations, a court may take action to terminate an individual’s parental rights following Ga. 1526 East Forrest Ave. To apply for an Abandonment Warrant you would go to the Warrant Division of the Magistrate Court in the county where the minor child currently lives. Mar 20, 2023 · Child (7) born in NorthCarolina. You may also reach us by email by completing this form. If you wish to alter your child’s name (first, middle, and/or last), you must first submit a petition with the superior court in the county where your child resides. 2007, p. Aug 20, 2019 · Specifically, the law prevents prosecution of the mother for the crimes of “cruelty to a child,” “contributing to the delinquency, unruliness, or deprivation of a child,” or “abandonment of a dependent child. Parental rights are terminated when the court concludes that the parent is unfit. Children in state custody and those at risk of being abandoned, who can show such a program is “medically necessary Ga. ga. Legitimation and abandonment in Georgia. If your ex both disappears from his child’s life and refuses to pay child support, this is a criminal offense in some states. Consequences of Child Abandonment in Georgia. The majority of reports are made by mandated reporters, making them a first line of defense. Case Records. Contact your local DFCS office for general inquiries. Code § 19-7-5(b) 'Sexual abuse' occurs when a person employs, uses, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces a minor who is not that person's spouse to engage in any act that involves the following: O. Previous Next § 19-10-1. If you are one of the following people and have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused, you must make a report, immediately but no later than 24 hours, to your local DFCS office or law enforcement and are 2022 Georgia Code Title 19 - Domestic Relations Chapter 10 - Abandonment of Child or Spouse. The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect reports that over 1 million cases of child abuse and neglect were substantiated in l994, a number that does not include abused and neglected children that are unknown to the child protection system. A person convicted of reckless abandonment will be guilty of a felony and will face a penalty of prison for ten to twenty-five years. Call Centralized Intake at 1-855-422-4453. Code § 19-9-64) (2023). (a) A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of or having immediate charge or custody of a child under the age of 18 commits the offense of cruelty to children in the first degree when such person willfully deprives the child of necessary sustenance to the extent that the Child Abuse and Neglect. Child Abandonment: Willful and voluntary failure to provide a minor child with sufficient home, care, or support, including food or clothes, leaving the child in a state of dependency or need. Phone: 770-830-5874. [1] The phrase is typically used to describe the physical abandonment of a child. M. 554, § 1/HB 369, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “The General Assembly of Georgia declares that it is the policy of this state to assure that minor children have frequent and continuing contact with parents who have shown the ability to act in the best interests of their children and to encourage parents to Apr 5, 2022 · The Georgia Name Change Process for a Child Summarized. Abuse or difficult living conditions can drive a spouse to Apr 21, 2022 · 1 in 7 children experienced abuse of neglect within the last year (CDC, 2022). An absent parent may face the termination of his rights as a parent. Family law courts often grant or terminate the rights of parents. My mom had him since a baby, never asked for support or formalized any legal custody. In order to apply, the applicant must The Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) investigates reports of child abuse; finds foster and adoptive homes for abused and ne Read Section 19-10-1 - Abandonment of dependent child; criminal penalties; continuing offense; venue; evidence; expenses of birth of child born out of wedlock; support of child born out of wedlock, Ga. Chambers v. 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302. O. The Child Abandonment Warrant is a probable cause warrant to determine if the child has been abandoned. Involuntary termination of parental rights may be necessary when a court finds that (1) the parent abandoned the child; (2) the parent willfully failed To Report Child Maltreatment Suspected child abuse or neglect can be reported to the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). L. Table of Contents show. It's the BM, who is not paying CS. (a) A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of or having immediate charge or custody of a child under the age of one year commits the offense of reckless abandonment of a child when the person willfully and voluntarily physically abandons such child with the Anyone working with children under 18 years of age who have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect should report it. Health care resources and basic necessities. 45, (2007). A conviction for this crime may result in 10 to 25 years of incarceration. Except as provided in Code Sections 19-7-1 and 51-4-4 for the right of recovery for the wrongful death of a child, when a minor child dies without a will, a parent who willfully abandoned his or her minor child and has maintained such abandonment shall lose all right to intestate succession to the minor child's estate and shall not have the - When mother of child is dead, father has prima facie right of custody, and in order to sustain contention that he has lost his parental power by reason of failure to provide necessaries for his child or by abandonment of his family, a clear and strong case must be made. An absent parent in Georgia still has legal obligations to his child, such as providing financial support. We can be reached by calling our office at (919) 301-8843 or by completing the online contact form below. I have the right to discipline my child: Although there is a parent's right to discipline, if it goes beyond what is reasonable, then it will be considered cruelty to children. Procedure to Apply for a Warrant for Child Abandonment. Please call 1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453). In 2020 Georgia ranked 38 th in the nation for child well-being (Georgia Division of Family and Children Services). 664, 492 S. Child abandonment in Georgia has severe that impact the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the abandoned children. sec. An example of this would be if a husband abuses his wife physically, mentally or emotionally, and she must leave in order to keep herself or her children safe. This might include leaving an infant on a doorstep or on the side of a road. Georgia Law Regarding Child Give . 404-413-1296. After applying for a warrant, a hearing will be scheduled during which time a judge will determine whether abandonment has occurred. Child Support. The initial diligent search is completed and submitted to the court within 30 days of the child’s entry into foster care; and an updated diligent search is completed and submitted prior to each periodic review hearing. First, are the parents who just can’t cope. The children ended up drowning in the pool and the Court held that the neglect led to the children's drowning. "Child" under this definition means any person under 18 years of age. However, certain professions are required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect in Georgia [OCGA 19-7-5(c)(1)]. (Miss. Intent to forgo parental duties or relinquish parental claims may be evidenced by: CHILD SUPPORT RESOURCE LIST. To file an abandonment warrant: - Evidence that the death of a child occurred following the mother's placing the child in a trash bag after giving birth and then putting the bag on the front porch was sufficient to support the finding of a violation of O. To make a report of child abuse and neglect in Georgia , visit cps. This occurs when one spouse is forced to leave due to the words, behavior and/or actions of the other spouse. (Okla. O. Obtaining information from this system is governed by O. S. What is Child Abandonment? A minor child is considered to be abandoned if during a consecutive 30-day period, its father or mother does not furnish sufficient food, clothing, or shelter for the needs of the child, leaving the child in a dependent condition. Carrollton, GA 30112. Jan 15, 2011 · In addition to requiring you to pay all child support owed for the years when you did not support your child, according to O. com . Intent to forgo parental duties or relinquish parental claims may be evidenced by: Failure, for a period of at least six months, to communicate meaningfully with a child; 2010 Georgia Code. It was an accident: The statute requires that the abandonment is willful and voluntary. (O. Established in 1984, PCA Georgia is the state's only non-profit agency that focuses exclusively on the prevention of all forms of child abuse and neglect. Cruelty to children. pe dz wj gz mm bf be wu sf fg